For the LOVE of Signing

National Puzzle Day

Clutter

I read another blog about Transformation and Organization. Her pictures and comment inspired me to start organize my clutter area. I dropped magazines off at the table in my father's office. End up pile high. I realized that there is no more room for one more. I have to learn to stop buy magazines. The verse she wrote on her blog touched my heart. I immediately pulled out my bible and read.

I love books. I have few resource books how to organize.

My father's office. That's where I dropped my stuff off.

Tea bags the one that I got for my birthday.

too many magazines!

I pass along the magazines (except for tea magazines) to local hospital or to use in waiting rooms. 

I use the tea magazines as resource information when hosting teas, showers, etc.

It will take weeks and weeks to clean up the clutter area. I will get it back with you with "After" pictures.

Candy Cane

The Meaning of The Candy Cane

Hard Candy
Reminds us that Jesus is like a “rock” dependable.

Peppermint Flavor
is like the gift of spices from the wise men.

White Candy
Stands for Jesus as the holy, sinless Son of God.

The Letter “J”
is for the Name of Jesus, our Savior.

Cane
is like a staff used by shepherds in caring for sheep. Jesus is our “Good Shepherd”.

The Color Red
is for God’s love that sent Jesus to give His life for us on the cross.
The Stripes
Remind us of Jesus’ suffering – His crown of thorns, the wounds in His hands and feet; and the cross on which He died.

12 Days of Christmas

The Twelve Days of Christmas

The date of the 12 Days of Christmas:  Twelve Days START from Christmas, December 25th until the beginning of Epiphany, January 6th.  The 12 days count from Dec. 25th until Jan. 6th.  A way to observe this holy day.  Most church celebrated as the time three Magi or King arrived to present gifts to the young Jesus.  

On the 1st day of Christmas, my true love sent to me...A Partridge in a Pear Tree
On the 2nd day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Two Turtle Doves
On the 3rd day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Three French Hens
On the 4th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Four Calling Birds
On the 5th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Five Gold Rings
On the 6th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Six Geese A-laying
On the 7th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Seven Swans A-swimming
On the 8th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Eight Maids A-milking
On the 9th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Nine Ladies Dancing
On the 10th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Ten Lords A-leaping
On the 11th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Eleven Pipers Piping
On the 12th day of Christmas my true love sent to me...Twelve Drummers Drumming

For nearly three hundred years, it was against the law in England to be a member of the Catholic Church.  Well, that didn't keep Catholic parents from wanting to teach their children about God, but in order to do so they had to be creative.   They used a secret code hidden in the song to teach their children abut the things of God.

"My True Love" represents God, who gives all the gifts in listed in the song.
"A partridge in a pear tree" is Jesus, who give His life on a tree (the cross).
"Two Turtle doves" symbolized the Old and New Testaments.
"Three French hens" are faith, hope, and love.
"Four calling birds" speak of the four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
"Five golden rings" correspond to the first five books of the Bible, also-known as the Pentateuch.
"Six geese a-laying" stand for the six days of creation.
"Seven Swans a-swimming" are the seven gifts of the Spirit - Roman 12:6-8
"Eight maids a-milking" point to the eight beatitudes - Matthew 5:3-10
"Nine ladies dancing" signify the nine fruits of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23
"Ten lords a-leaping" represent the Ten Commandments.
"Eleven pipers piping" are the eleven faithful disciples.
And Finally
"Twelve drummers drumming" call to mind the twelve points of the Apostle's Creed."

Merry Christmas

To my friends and families:May God grant you peace and happiness throughout this Christmas Season!
Merry Christmas!Yours in Tea and Friendship,
Maureen

Drink the cup of hot cocoa
to remind you to relax daily
and go over the list of blessings

1 Thessalonians 5:18

A Visit from St. Nicholas

23 December 1823

The poem “Account of a Visit from St. Nicholas” was published anonymously in the Troy, New York Sentinel; the verse, more popularly known as “Twas the Night Before Christmas,” was later attributed to Clement C. Moore.

The Nutcracker

18 December 1892, Tchailovsky's ballet "The Nutcracker" publicly premiered in St. Petersburg, Russia.

Nutcracker Tea

Come and join me for

"Nutcracker Tea" party

Cancellation stamps

Nutcracker

Did you know…?

Now a Christmas classic, Tchaikowsky’s Nutcracker premiered on December 18, 1892 less-than-favorable reviews. Poor casting and the audience’s unfamiliarity with the plot kept the performance from being considered a success. Happily, the music and the story have endured, and audiences worldwide now look forward to this beloved ballet every holiday season.

~~ Emile Barnes - The 12 Teas of Christmas